Re: Practical IFR Question (for centre controllers)

In article
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, David
Megginson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> This weekend, I'm flying almost due south 340 nm from Ottawa to 
> Philadelphia, as I mentioned in a separate posting.  Inevitably, the legs of 
> my planned flight zigzag around a track of 180 deg M, some slightly on the 
> east side, and some slightly on the west.  Consider this part of the trip, 
> all on V29:
> 
>    CORTA-CFB: 198 deg M, 31 nm
>    CFB-LVZ: 169 deg M, 57 nm
>    LVZ-ETX: 190 deg M, 42 nm
>    ETX-PTW: 174 deg M, 22 nm
> 
> Assume I hit CORTA at 6000 ft.  Will Centre drop me to 5,000 ft at CFB, then 
> bring me back to 6,000 ft at LVZ, then drop me back to 5,000 ft at ETX 
> (actually, I'd probably be starting a descent by then anyway)?  Or will they 
> likely just leave me at 6,000?  It's not a big deal of course -- mainly just 
> a matter of curiosity.  Toronto Centre has never been too concerned about my 
> flying WAFDOF for turbulence or (risk of) icing, but our airways are not all 
> that busy below 10K ft outside of terminal areas, especially in IMC.

My guess is that it will depend upon other traffic along your route of
flight. If you are the only one, you will stay at the same altitude
until approach starts working you into the flow.
When there is other traffic, they will put you at an altitude that fits
the flow.